BigLaw partner lateral moves involve extensive due diligence on portable business, client relationship verification, and detailed compensation negotiations. The process typically takes 3-6 months and requires careful timing around non-competes and client notifications.
Employment law partners typically need $1-3M in portable business for lateral moves, though demand varies by market and specialty. PAGA expertise and wage-hour class action experience can reduce these thresholds significantly.
Non-equity partner compensation disputes often signal deeper firm culture issues that rarely improve. A lateral move to a growing market like Charlotte can provide both financial upside and career reset opportunities.
Labor and employment partners typically need $1-3M in portable business for lateral moves, though requirements vary significantly by market and firm tier. Strong client relationships and specialized expertise can sometimes offset lower book numbers.
Patent litigation associates handle document review, prior art research, claim construction briefing, expert witness coordination, and trial preparation. The work is highly technical and substantive, with better work-life balance than M&A but intense periods during trials and key deadlines.
Corporate associates handle M&A, securities, and general corporate work, with firms evaluating deal experience, drafting skills, and client management abilities. The current market strongly favors experienced corporate laterals, especially those with 3-7 years of experience.
Entertainment law partners in NYC and LA typically earn $400K-$1.2M+ depending on firm tier, portable business, and specialization. Both markets offer strong opportunities with LA having slight edge for film/TV work.
Seattle offers higher attorney salaries but significantly higher housing costs, while Portland provides a lower cost of living but fewer BigLaw opportunities. Tax differences and lifestyle factors also impact the real value of compensation packages.
Moving from BigLaw to a quality employment boutique can be an excellent career move, especially given the robust demand for employment law expertise. While you'll likely take a short-term pay cut, the specialized experience and better work-life balance often lead to stronger long-term prospects.
Legal recruiters help attorneys navigate lateral moves by matching candidates with firm opportunities, providing market intelligence, and managing the interview process. They're typically paid by firms on successful placements, making their services free for candidates.
The Am Law 100 ranks the highest-grossing U.S. law firms by annual revenue, with 2024's #100 firm earning approximately $400+ million. These firms typically offer Cravath-scale compensation, global platforms, and prestigious client work.
BigLaw junior associate salaries follow the Cravath scale, with first-years earning $215,000 and second-years making $235,000 at top firms. Regional markets like Charlotte and Seattle may offer 10-20% adjustments, but cost of living differences often favor these markets.
Plaintiff-side employment litigation focuses on representing employees in discrimination, wage disputes, and wrongful termination cases, often working on contingency with higher risk/reward. Defense-side represents employers, offers steadier billable hour income, and involves more regulatory compliance and risk mitigation work.
Bankruptcy and restructuring associates handle a mix of transactional and litigation work, from due diligence and document drafting to court filings and creditor negotiations. The practice combines corporate finance skills with specialized bankruptcy law knowledge.
Charlotte's financial services market is exceptionally strong due to Bank of America and Wells Fargo headquarters driving substantial deal flow. Associates typically work on high-stakes transactions with excellent mentorship, though hours remain demanding at top-tier firms.